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Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has held its 11th Edition of the annual conference, “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary”.

The conference was held in partnership with the Government of Tanzania on 29th and 30th October, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The conference was officially inaugurated by H.E. Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania together with Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, along with First Ladies of 15 Countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

While inaugurating the conference, The President of United Republic of Tanzania, H.E Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN emphasized “I am delighted to host this prestigious conference in Tanzania. It is a great honor to inaugurate the conference alongside the First Ladies of Africa and Asia. I am certain that this conference will help us to achieve our shared mission — to make a transformation in the health and well-being of our people. I deeply appreciate the programs of Merck Foundation that are building healthcare capacity, breaking infertility stigma, and supporting girl education.”

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary on her part emphasized, “I am delighted to have Her Excellency, Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, inaugurate our annual conference. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to our partner, the Government of Tanzania, for their unwavering support in making it a success".

Moreover, I am honored to welcome our esteemed Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of African and Asian Countries, also the Ambassadors of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. Together, we shared experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness on a wide range of critical social and health issues."

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees added, “I would like to thank H.E. Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, The President of Tanzania, our partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Asia, along with African Ministers, Health Experts, Policy Makers, Government Officials, Academia and Media from over 70 countries for joining hands with us to realize the Merck Foundation’s vision that “Everyone can lead a Healthy and Happy life.”

Meanwhile. Merck Foundation has provided more than 2080 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties such as Oncology and Cancer care, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Cardiovascular, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Clinical Psychiatry, Urology, Ophthalmology, General Surgery, Trauma & Orthopedic, Dermatology,
Neonatal Care, Pain Management, Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Advanced Surgical Practice, Neuroimaging for Research and more. 

During the 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, two important occasions were marked; the 7th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 12 years of Merck Foundation’s development programs that started in 2012.

The First Ladies of 15 Countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers are:

•H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi

•H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde

•H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic

•H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of The Congo

•H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic

•H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia

•H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana

•H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO, The First Lady of Kenya

•H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia

•H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi

•H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives

•H.E. Mrs. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique

•H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

•H.E Mrs. MARIAM MWINYI, The First Lady of Zanzibar

•H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe